Orange County beaches shut but some still surf, walk on sand

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Orange County beaches began closing Friday under a state order aimed at preventing the virus's spread but many people still headed to the shore to surf, walk and jog before local authorities stopped them.

In Huntington Beach, state beaches were cordoned off with yellow tape and by park authorities wearing masks who told residents they couldn’t go onto the sand. The city's beach, however, saw traffic as usual: barefoot surfers toting boards, walkers savoring the sand and bikers using a popular trail that follows the shoreline.

Police in Huntington Beach said while the beach was officially closed they would not put up signs until later as they were readying for a protest calling for an end to stay-at-home orders. In neighboring Newport Beach, the city put out barricades and spoke with surfers to advise them of the closure, and said people were quick to comply.

“Most people did get the message,” said John Pope, a city spokesman. “Our goal, honestly, is to not issue citations.”

The beach battle erupted after media photographs showed packed shorelines in the Orange County cities of Huntington Beach and Newport Beach over the weekend, prompting Gov. Gavin Newsom to shut them down Thursday in a bid to limit the virus' spread. Local officials had opted to leave the beaches open to encourage residents to stay healthy and exercise, and many accused Newsom of unfairly singling them out.

Beaches are closed in nearby Los Angeles County and San Diego County allows for walking and jogging but residents' can't linger on the sand.

Many residents opposed the state decision, and said it was punishing them for crowds of people, many from other communities, who came to their beaches because others were closed.

Chris Karathanas, 36, said the streets and paths around Huntington Beach had grown congested in recent weeks, and he was being careful to take routes on his bike where he could keep a safe distance.

“People have been flocking here — not people who live here, but elsewhere,” he said. “It kind of had to be done."

Both Orange County cities are considering legal action and a conservative organization filed court papers seeking to block the order. Barring any legal action, Newport Beach will comply with the state's order, Pope said.

“Our challenge could come through the legal channels, but this weekend, we’re just hoping for a very quiet weekend where people do stay away,” he said.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. The vast majority of people recover.